Interrupted thread type slidable jaw wrench



Jan. 16, 1951 o. w. TUEPKER INTERRUPTED THREAD TYPE, SLIDABLE JAW WRENCH Filed Oct. 1, 1948 INVENTOR. Oscar 14 7Z4e vWer BY W'LMM/QMWWZWW 4 7'70? /vrs Patented Jan. 16, 1951 OFFICE INTEREUPTED THREAD TYPE SLIDABLE JAW WRENCH Oscar W. Tuepker, Hubbell, Nebr.

Application October 1, 1948, Serial No. 52,237

3 Claims.

The main object of my invention-is to provide 7 a wrench of the indicated character which may be quickly and conveniently adjusted to grip ob jects of different sizes.

In my prior application Serial No. 742,409, filed April 18, 1947, now abandoned, there is disclosed a wrench comprising a longitudinally extending shank having a fixed jaw at one end thereof, a hollow tube mounted on the shank for longitudinal movement toward and away from said jaw,

a second jaw arranged transversely of the tube.

adjacent one end thereof facing the first jaw and fixedly secured to the tube, a hollow handle surrounding and rotatably mounted on the shank and having one end in face to face relation with respect to the other end of the tube, a collar on the handle adjacent the one end thereof, and embracing means on the other end of the tube and slidably embracing the collar, a longitudinal portion of half threads on the shank spaced from the other end thereof and engageable with a longitudinal portion of half threads formed on the inner surface of said handle upon rotation of the latter.

The present application is directed to the same combination above recited but differing thereover in the formation of the sleeve carrying the second jaw with a longitudinal slot on the interior wall thereof tapering inwardly from one end thereof and terminating at a point spaced from the other end with a spring biased dog extending transversely through the sleeve into the slot intermediate its ends and engageable with the adjacent portion of the shank to thereby urge the opposite wall portion of the sleeve into contacting engagement with the shank; and also in the inclusion of a spring biased detent extending transversely through the embracing means projectin from the sleeve and engageable with the adjacent portion of the collar to thereby yieldably hold the handle in any select position of its rotative movement.

Another object is to provide a quickly-adjusted wrench with means for adjusting the jaws of the same by direct skips from any one adjustment or spacing of the jaws to any other without intervening adjustments being necessary.

A further object is to produce such a wrench in simple and durable form of but three main parts within which the adjusting means of the wrench are effectively concealed and protected against damage.

It is also an object to have such a quicklyadjusted wrench in which adjustment is effected by a simple operation that is immediately obvious upon demonstration thereof,

A practical object is, of course, to have an instantly-adjusted wrench, as outlined, which is reasonably simple to manufacture at a figure competitive with ordinary screw-adjusting wrenches in order to encourage wide distribution and use thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in further detail as the specification proceeds.

In order to facilitate ready comprehension of this invention for a proper appreciation of the salient features thereof, the invention is illustrated on the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a wrench made according to the invention and embodying the same in a practical form;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 in said Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a further section taken on line 44 in said Figure 1.

In the views the same reference numerals indicate the same or like parts.

Common wrenches serving to grip bolts, bolt heads, nuts and the like are usually adjusted by rotating a screw member exposed upon the wrench and requiring to be rotated the full distance from one adjustment to another. Such tedious methods of adjusting are not only incon venient, but wasteful of time, not to mention that the feed screws orscrew members used are all too easily subject to damage which immediately renders adjustment of the wrench involved difficult and sometimes even impossible.

In view of this situation, it has occurred to me that a wrench to be durable and useful to a maximum degreeand time saving and convenient to use should first enclose the adjusting means to protect the same from damage and should also be capable of instant adjustment from one size of jaw opening directly to any other size; Upon considering this problem, I have found it quite feasible to produce a wrench of the character outlined, as will now be fully described.

Hence, in the practice of my invention, and referring again to the drawing, a wrench, generally indicated at 5, primarily includes an outer end jaw 6 integral with a round shank T of relatively large diameter extending a limited distance from the inner side thereof at a uniform diameter and beyond the end 8 of the maximum diameter portion of the shank, the latter continuing integrally in the form of a further round shank of reduced diameter at 9 from the end of which extends an aligned end or rod I 0 of still smaller diameter, the intermediate portion 9 having a longitudinal portion of half or partial threads 9 i not only occupying a limited intermediate area upon portion 9, but also only a little less than half a perimeter thereof for a reason which will soon be explained.

Upon the shank portions 9 and I6 is mounted a hollow handle I2 having within the outer end thereof a small bore I3 into which the end rod or small-diameter shank I9 extends slidably, the extremity of handle I at I4 being'provided with a vent I 5 to prevent air look within the handle and also to allow injection of a drop of oil occasionally to lubricate the interior of the wrench. Opening into the handle from the forward end thereof is a large bore I6 of sufficient diameter to clear the partial threads II on intermediate shank portion 9,'but along a large portion of the length of the bore are located a series of partial threads I1, I! which in a manner corresponding to the nature of partial threads I! extending a little less than half-way around the bore I 6 in such fashion that when the partial threads II are disposed in uppermost relation, as shown in Figure l, and the partial threads I1, I? in bore I6 are disposed in their lowest position of rotation, as also shown, the thread portions are actually spaced apart and clear each other in such fashion that it is possible to grasp handle I2 and draw the same longitudinally along the shank portions I, 9 and ID in either direction. The inner end I8 of bore I6 serves as a stop for the shoulder or end I 9 of the intermediate shank portion 9 which corresponds to a substantially closed position of the jaws now to be described further.

Upon the forward end of hollow handle I2 is a flange or collar 20 in the periphery of which are located a series of indentations 2I 2| defining a plurality of stop positions for the rotation of the handle. In passing, it may be noted that the first shank portion I immediately adjacent to the jaw 6 is of substantially the same diameter as the interior of bore I6, so that the forward portion of the handle is slidable upon said shank portion 7 when the rear end of the intermediate shank portion I9 approaches the inner end I8 of bore It. Circumposed about shank I intermediate jaw 6 and handle I2 is a sleeve or tube 26 which is mounted on the shank for longitudinal movement toward and away from jaw 6. Arranged transversely of and adjacent to one end of tube 26 is a second jaw 22 fixedly secured to the tube and having teeth 4| projecting toward jaw 6. The tube 26 is provided with a longitudinal slot 24 on the interior wall of the tube which tapers inwardly from said one end of the tube and terminates at a point spaced from the other end of the tube. The shank I has a longitudinal rib extending from jaw 6 to a point spaced from jaw 6 and which is slidably received by slot 2 3 to prevent rotation of tube 26 about shank I. Extending transversely through tube 26 and opening into slot 24 intermediate its ends is a bore 21. Mounted in bore 2'! and projecting inwardly therefrom is a dog 28, biased by a spring 29, and retained in bore 27 by a screw 3!. The dog 28 engages the adjacent portion of rib 25 to urge the opposite portion 30 of tube 25 into contact with the opposite portion 28 of shank I.

Projecting from the other end of tube 26 are a plurality of spaced lugs 33, 34 which each slidably embrace the adjacent portion of collar 20 so that handle I2 is connected to tube 26 for longitudinal movement therewith and allowed to rotate relative thereto. Lug 34 is provided with a radial bore 36 in which is mounted a detent 31 in the bore by screw 39. Detent 31 is selectively engageable with any one of indentations 2| to yieldably hold handle I2 in a select position of its rotative movement.

The jaws 6 and 22 are provided upon their mutually opposite surfaces with oppositely-directed gripping teeth 40, 4|.

The arrangement is such that adjustments are performed by manipulating the handle I2, for when the handle occupies the position shown in Figure 1 with respect to the threads I], H, the handle with jaw 22 may be caused to recede from or approach toward jaw 6, the handle sliding by bore I6 upon threads I I and the rear bore I3 engaging slidably with the rear guidin projection or rod I0 of the intermediate shank 9 and main shank 'I, and forming a guiding spindle therefor with respect to the handle. Due to the connection between jaw 22 and handle I2 by the collar 20 of the latter being engaged within the lugs 33 and 34 the jaw will, of course, follow the handle in its longitudinal movement with respect to shank I and jaw 6. When the handle is adjusted to provide the desired spacing between jaws 6 and 22, rotation of the handle through half a turn will completely engage the halfthreads I I of the shank with the corresponding half-threads I! of the handle and allow the jaws to be brought further together to a small degree in order to provide a positive grip upon the object disposed between the teeth 40 and II, of the jaws, and it will be found that the jaws are held firmly in the attained position. When a different spacing between the jaws is desired, the handle is rotated half a turn to place the -thread portions II, II out of contact with the corresponding thread portions I1 within the bore I6 of the handle when the latter may be directly pushed or drawn to the desired new size of the object to be gripped by the jaws 6 and 22, and the latter fitted thereon, whereupon the handle is again given half a turn to re-engage thread portions I I with thread portion I! when the mere half-turn required to do this will sufiice to grip jaws 6 and 22 tightly upon the object between the jaws. It is to be noted that a full half-turn is not always possible to impart to the handle, due to the fact that the jaws 6 and 22 may already be such a nearly accurate fit upon the object gripped so that only a partial turn partly engaging thread portions II with thread portions I'I will occur, but in every case the handle will be retained in attained position of rotation by means of trigger 37 engaging in a corresponding peripheral indentation 2I in the periphery of collar 20 on the forward end of the handle. During manipulation of the wrench, it is often convenient, and even necessary, to allow tube 26 to be raised in such fashion that the upper portion 30 thereof is spaced from shank I and thus the wrench may even be used to grip pipes and round rods, etc., the downwardly-directed nature of teeth 40 on jaw 6 and the upwardly-directed teeth 4| on jaw 22 providing a firm grip when the wrench is swung with the handle I2 in counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 1, assuming that the space between the jaws upon the object gripped forms the center of rotation.

Manifestly, variations may be resorted to and parts and features may be modified or used without others within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now fully described claim:

1. A wrench comprising a longitudinally exmy invention, I

5 tending shank, a first jaw arranged transversely of said shank adjacent one end thereof and fixedly secured to said shank, a sleeve mounted on said shank for longitudinal movement toward and away from said first jaw, a second jaw arranged transversely of said sleeve adjacent one end thereof facing said first jaw and fixedly se cured to said sleeve, said sleeve having a longi tudinal slot on the interior wall thereof and tapering inwardly from. said one end and terminating at a point spaced from the other end thereof, a spring biased dog extending transversely through said sleeve into said slot intermediate the ends thereof and engageable with the adjacent portion of said shank to thereby urge the opposite wall portion of said sleeve into contacting engagement with said shank, a hollow handle surrounding and rotatably mounted on said shank and having one end in face to face relation with respect to the other end of said sleeve, said shank being provided with a longitudinal portion of half threads extending in wardly of and spaced fromv the other end thereof, a collar on said handle adjacent said one end thereof, said handle having on its inner surface a longitudinal portion of half threads spaced from the other end thereof and engageable with said threaded portion of said shank upon rotation of said handle, embracing means on the other end of said sleeve and slidably engaging said collar, and a spring biased detent extending transversely through said embracing means and engageable with the adjacent portion of said collar to thereby yieldably hold said handle in any select position of its rotative movement.

2. A wrench comprising a longitudinally extending shank, a first jaw arranged transversely of said shank adjacent one end thereof and fixedly secured to said shank, a sleeve mounted on said shank for longitudinal movement toward and away from said first jaw, a second jaw arranged transversely of said sleeve adjacent one end thereof facing said first jaw and fixedly secured to said sleeve, said sleeve having a longitudinal slot on the interior wall thereof and tapering inwardly from said one end and terminating at a point spaced from the other end thereof, a spring biased dog extending transversely through said sleeve into said slot intermediate the ends thereof and engageable with the adjacent portion of said shank to thereby 'urge the opposite wall portion of said sleeve into contactin engagement with said shank, a hollow handle surrounding and rotatably mounted on said shank and having one end in face to face relation with respect to the other end of said sleeve, said shank being provided with a longitudinal portion of half threads extending inwardly of and spaced from the other end thereof, a collar on said handle adjacent said one end thereof, said handle having on its inner surface a longitudinal portion of half threads spaced from the other end thereof and engageable with said threaded portion of said shank upon rotation of said handle, there being a plurality of spaced indentations arranged about Ill) the periphery of said collar, a plurality of spaced lugs projecting from the other end of said sleeve and each slidably embracing the adjacent portion of said collar, and a spring biased detent extending transversely through one of said lugs and engageable with one of the indentations on said collar to thereby yieldably hold said handle in any select position of its rotative movement.

3. A wrench comprising a longitudinally extending shank, a first jaw arranged transverse- 1y of said shank adjacent one end thereof and fixedly secured to said shank, a longitudinal rib on said shank extending from said first jaw and terminating at a point spaced from the latter jaw, a sleeve mounted on said shank for longitudinal movement toward and away from said first jaw, a second jaw arranged transversely of said sleeve adjacent one end thereof facing said first jaw and fixedly secured to said sleeve, said sleeve having a longitudinal slot on the interior wall thereof and taperin inwardly from said one end and terminating at a point spaced from the other end thereof receiving said rib, a spring biased dog extending transversely through said sleeve into said slot intermediate the ends thereof and engageable with the adjacent portion of said shank to thereby urge the opposite wall portion of said sleeve into contacting engagement with said shank, a hollow handle surrounding and rotatably mounted on said shank and having one end in face to face relation with respect to the other end of said sleeve, said shank being provided with a longitudinal portion of half threads extending inwardly of and spaced from the other end thereof, a collar on said handle adjacent said one end thereof, said handle having on its inner surface a longitudinal portion of half threads spaced from the other end thereof and engageable with said threaded portion of said shank upon rotation of said handle, there being a plurality of spaced indentations arranged about the periphery of said collar, a plurality of spaced lugs projecting from the other end of said sleeve and each slidably embracing the adjacent portion of said collar, and a spring biased detent extending transversely through one of said lugs and engageable with one of the indentations on said collar to thereby yieldably hold said handle in any select position of its rotative movement.

OSCAR W. TUEPKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 776,944 Richards et al Dec. 6, 1904 895,896 Sanders Aug. 11, 1908 1,382,247 Schafer June 21, 1921 1,652,355 Hammer Dec. 13, 1927 1,817,060 Blalock Aug. 4, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 717,996 Germany Mar. 3, 1942 

